Learning

A Pre-K mom and her son sitting at a table painting together. Pre-K mom and child enjoying a moment with arts and crafts. Image courtesy of Renee Rosensteel.

Overview

The Endowments’ Learning area seeks to create conditions that foster equitable opportunities for all children and their families, especially those living in vulnerable neighborhoods.

We focus on child and family well-being, holistic education and workforce readiness. The Endowments partners with communities to help build on their strengths and resourcefulness, to support existing strategies, and to inspire, seed and incubate new ideas designed for all to thrive. Our work within this strategy is guided by the following principles:

  • Recognize that learning happens best within the context of relationships;
  • Embrace a spirit of authentic collaboration by involving the community as the key agent, co-creator and producer of change;
  • Utilize learning from national and global models;
  • Promote innovation by seeking new ideas to address persistent challenges, especially in individual neighborhoods;
  • Consider how neighborhood lessons influence broader systems; and
  • Commit to ongoing assessment

 

Prenatal-to-age-three Child Trends report reveals strengths and challenges

The Endowments has partnered with Child Trends, a national research organization focused on child and family well-being, in the creation of Prenatal-to-Three resources and tools. With an aim of contributing to a PN-3 system in Allegheny County that equitably supports all families with children from pregnancy to age three, the revealing report was informed by over 30 stakeholders in the family and child care fields. Read the PN3 Playbook report here.

Economic Impacts of Child Care in Allegheny County

The region’s child care system – challenged before COVID-19 by unsustainable funding models and inequity – has the potential to adversely affect our economy as the pandemic rages on. Read the Endowments-supported report from Fourth Economy to learn what is at stake, and what we can do.

Read the report

Read the 90.5 WESA story

 

 

 

 

Program Staff
Carmen Anderson
Carmen Anderson Vice President, Equity & Learning
Vicki Beattie
Vicki Beattie Program Assistant, Learning
Kathleen Keating
Kathleen Keating Program Officer, Learning
Dean Richards
Dean Richards Program Officer, Learning
Mac  Howison
Mac Howison Program Officer, Creative Learning
Governor Shapiro Signs Executive Order Streamlining Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder Efforts to Improve Accessibility Across the Commonwealth
‘Teaching Artists’ program finally arrives in Beaver County
WMAA and Fallingwater collaborate on groundbreaking new exhibition
How UPMC Health Plan is Expanding its Health Care Offerings With the Neighborhood Center
Our Region's Business - Patterns of Meaning, Interview with Cory Bonnet
Personalities of Pittsburgh: Chris DeCardy, The Heinz Endowments
These Pittsburgh teen media creators are getting their voices heard - and being celebrated for it
The Pittsburgh Study won the W. K. Kellogg Foundation Community Engagement Scholarship Award
Cave Canem Foundation Fall 2023 Season Announcement
Inaugural Building Bridges Day looks to promote diversity, inclusion
Out in Tech's Pittsburgh chapter wants to be a safe place for LGBTQ workers
Innovations Works' Robotics Factory is moving to Robotics Row
Stan Thompson: Helping Students Find Pathways to Amplify Their Skills & Identity
TALI names Alexis James Steals as its new Vice President of Operations
LIFE Male STEAM Academy gets $1.5 million grant from Pa. Charter Schools Program
The Center for Media Innovation: Creating a new news ecosystem in Pittsburgh
Office of Violence Prevention promotes safe, healthy communities
Heinz Endowments funds a new youth center in Downtown Pittsburgh
Regional groups supporting children & families receive over $11 million in new Endowments funding
Penn Hills Charter to share its 'entrepreneurship mindset' with other schools
The Advanced Leadership Institute and Carnegie Mellon University Announce the National Executive Leadership Academy to Develop Black Executive Leaders
Mayor Ed Gainey appoints Alexis Walker as Education Coordinator
Sweetwater receives Heinz Endowments grant
Pittsburgh book festival returns with new venue, expanded lineup
Gainey appoints new education coordinator for Pittsburgh
Women for a Healthy Environment improves quality of life in Western Pennsylvania
Native American tradition meets modern art in Westmoreland Museum exhibit
UPrep's resets: A school meant to bring Pitt's resources to Hill students goes back to the drawing board
ALMA|LEWIS combines creative expression and critical thinking
Pittsburgh Promise says donations honoring Franco Harris top $100,000
Prenatal-to-Three in Allegheny County - Child Trends
Editorial: Appreciating Pittsburgh’s philanthropic community, and welcoming a new leader
Heinz Endowments will install next President in April
Readiness Institute accepting applications for 2023 Summer Program
Heinz Endowments, Pittsburgh's $2.1 billion philanthropic ship, selects Chris DeCardy as new president
Chris DeCardy Named President of The Heinz Endowments
Declining population and small racial diversity threatens Pittsburgh's future tech scene, RAND report finds
Heinz Endowments name Chris DeCardy as new president
Heinz Endowments names new president after national search
New president at The Heinz Endowments
The Heinz Endowments Names Chris DeCardy as Its New President
The Heinz Endowments Names Chris DeCardy as New President
Maxwell King: Franco's values: never stop helping
Editorial: Franco Harris: A Pittsburgh legend on and off the gridiron
Carl Kurlander: Franco Harris, a true hero
PBGH's new CEO speaks about priorities for the organization
The new Pittsburgh Scholar House seeks to replace cycle of poverty with 'virtuous cycle'
Gwen's Girls leads new call center to keep students out of the legal system
For some Black families in Pittsburgh, finding the right school means choosing between diversity and academic rigor
Black parents in Pittsburgh face tough school choices
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U.S. Education secretary touts public-private partnerships during stop in Pittsburgh
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Pitt law school to help Afghan asylum seekers receive pro bono legal representation
How kindergarten camps are helping Pittsburgh area students who missed preschool during the pandemic
Sto-Rox School District, looking to decrease high suspension rate, enrolls discipline program
Pittsburgh Promise receives $2M grant from Heinz Endowments
Domestic Violence Services pledges 'No More'
How Funding Has Shifted to Support the Growing Child Care Movement
New, state-of-the-art medical center coming to Homewood
Booked for the day: Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books
‘If you can dream it, you can do it.’ Gwen’s Girls celebrates 20 years
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Diamonte Walker named CEO of ‘Pittsburgh Scholar House’
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Pittsburgh Scholar House names former Urban Redevelopment Authority official as inaugural CEO
On Media: Audacy returning WAMO to its rightful place as Pittsburgh’s urban radio station
Squirrel Hill-based MomsWork offers free support for Pittsburgh’s working mothers
Maplewood grad received Heinz Scholarship for Women in Global Leadership
Twenty-Four Rising Black Professionals Step Forward: TALI Celebrates Graduates of Its New "Emerging Leaders Program"
MacKenzie Scott boosts another Pittsburgh-area nonprofit with $10 million gift
Why Philanthropy’s ‘Free College’ Programs Don’t Always Live Up to Their Promise
On Media: Pittsburgh journalist Nick Childers provides firsthand accounts from Ukraine
AHN launches new effort to tackle Black infant mortality
Pittsburgh real estate development is becoming more the province of tech in Hazelwood and beyond
Joseph Sabino Mistick: The path ahead for Mayor Gainey
A generational opportunity for leapfrog growth and global economic leadership in Pittsburgh
Almono & Carnegie Mellon University reach agreements with Tishman Speyer to accelerate transformation of Hazelwood Green
Global developer hired to transform old Hazelwood coke works into robotics, AI and life sciences hub
Hazelwood Green, Pittsburgh’s largest development site, has a new lead developer
New York firm to develop 178-acre Hazelwood Green site in Pittsburgh
Grant Oliphant shares his successes and disappointments serving Pittsburgh — and why it’s time to move on
Obituary: James Mellon Walton | Executive who shaped Carnegie museums, Carnegie Library and Heinz Endowments
RI advances new pathway for learners to achieve community and future readiness
Exploration of Experiences and Perpetration of Identity-Based Bullying Among Adolescents by Race/Ethnicity and Other Marginalized Identities
'It's more than our mortgage': Pandemic highlights cost of child care, other challenges moms and employees face
The Penn State Greater Allegheny campus hosts the Readiness Institute
The Heinz Endowments awards $4.4 million to child care programs
$2 million from Allegheny County and philanthropies to fund in-person summer camps for kids
Allegheny County picks first head of Department of Children Initiatives
Penn State Readiness Institute launches Hope Moonshot to send messages to the moon
Newly established Readiness Institute at Penn State names inaugural leader
The Heinz Endowments awards grant to Penn State Outreach for Readiness Institute
Endowments awards major funding to support region’s arts organizations impacted by COVID-19 pandemic
Study: Loss Of Thousands Of Child Care Spots In Allegheny County Will Hurt Parents, Workforce
Gwen’s Girls launches See the Best in Me campaign to celebrate Black Girls Equity Month
Dragon’s Den rope challenge course opening in former Homestead church
Pivot to remote learning creates a chance to reinvent K-12 education
AIU receives $1.5 million to assist schools through pandemic
New Research Details Racial, Socioeconomic Inequities During School Shutdown Across Allegheny County
Endowments announces major public-private child care initiative
New tool gives real-time childcare facility information to families
The Association for Supportive Child Care Receives Multiple Awards to Help Struggling Home-Based Caregivers and Child Care Center
Heinz Endowments awards over $600,000 to help provide computers for local students following school closures
Pittsburgh’s tech and nonprofit communities come together to get laptops to students in need
Pittsburgh Public Schools goes big to get all 23,000 students studying from home starting April 16
Pittsburgh Public Schools Preparing For Online Instruction
Heinz Endowments launches Pittsburgh Readiness Institute to prepare high school seniors for careers
Endowments invests $700K to launch program that prepares youth for future work and commitment to community
Heinz Endowments initiative aims to prepare students for professional, private life
PPS Plans To Re-launch Teacher Diversity Initiative With 2 Local Universities
The Heinz Endowments commits $10 Mil in funding — Investing in a child’s well-being from prenatal to age 3 is beneficial
Heinz Endowments Launches $10 Million Early Childhood Initiative
Endowments announces $10 million funding for prenatal to age 3 well-being, education initiative
Heinz Endowments commits $10 million to support young children, families Photo of Joyce Gannon
Local Groups Will Help Pittsburgh Public School District 'Re-Imagine' How It Teaches Students
Superintendent Anthony Hamlet announces new strategic plan for city schools
Allegheny County receives $200K grant for infant, maternal health program
Report: County needs new department to address kids' needs
PGH Public Schools Postpones Teacher Diversity Program, Dropping Private College Partnership
The mission—Getting more Black teachers into PPS
Pittsburgh Public Schools launches pilot program to diversify teacher workforce
Grown-up solutions to combat child poverty
United Way of the Laurel Highlands kicks off fundraising campaign
William Isler, Audrey Russo & Jake Witherell: Gap in nontraditional child care undermines economic growth
Allegheny County Children's Fund working group to make recommendations to Fitzgerald
Students from Pittsburgh attending International Congress of Youth Voices
With 'Hello Baby' officials aim to reach all babies born in Allegheny County -- with an algorithm targeting those most at risk
Woodland Hills Suspended Fewer Students By Using A Restorative Model
Internship program to award funding for change
Carnegie’s Library Park nearing finish line
International Congress of Youth Voices Brings Together Authors and Activists in Puerto Rico
Heinz Endowments donates $1M to Pittsburgh Promise
Heinz Endowments gives $1 million to Pittsburgh Promise
After success in Africa, Open Field launches programming in Pittsburgh
The Heinz Endowments awards 300k in support of JHF programs for women and seniors
Meetings planned to gauge interest, get feedback about countywide Children's Fund
County to examine Children's Fund for early learning, after school programs
Greater Allegheny offers blended IST degree with help from the Heinz Endowments
Group serves community with food, toys and laughter
FREE THINC30 SUMMIT ON OCT. 17 ASKS HOW PITTSBURGH CAN BE A CITY FOR ALL
Seeing no big plan for struggling Pittsburgh kids, visiting Scots urge: 'Just do it.'
Riverview Children's Center adds classrooms, other amenities with $2 million expansion
A new way to engage kids? Science museum opens first-ever classroom for preschoolers
NEXT Up: Kenny Donaldson on helping the most marginalized students in Pittsburgh
New Pitt Research: Glaring Racial Disparities in Out-of-school Suspensions; a Warning About the Role of On-site Law Enforcement
Pitt Study Finds Link Between School Suspensions & Students In Juvenile Justice System
Pitt study looks at disparities in school suspensions
Study Shows Glaring Racial Disparities In School Suspension Rates In Allegheny County
Health department receives $200K grant for program to decrease infant mortality
Students see the tech side of sports broadcasting with visit to AT&T SportsNet
Penn Hills Family Care Connection plans grand opening
'In the trenches': Team led by Duquesne U. helps after-school programs tackle childhood trauma
WorkZone: Bystanders must speak out to prevent sexual harassment
'One voice can change a life': A program in Pittsburgh is helping high school students find — and raise — their voices
CYF: An agency that works, helping kids and their families
New frontiers: A clever CMU program scouts out the latest in artificial intelligence
The other epidemic that’s killing our kids
Leadership program at Woodland Hills aimed at fifth, sixth graders
Fred Rogers Co. receives $3M expansion grant
Heinz Endowments advances children’s educational media with $3M grant to The Fred Rogers Company
From Flint to Pittsburgh, children need protection from lead, pediatrician says
Ahead of our time in life sciences
Plum board looking at proposal to perk up high school library
Endowments names Mac Howison as Program Officer for Creative Learning
New Pittsburgh multicultural unit to translate 5 languages for immigrants
Pittsburgh's new multicultural unit will help communication — in Arabic, Chinese, Nepali, Spanish and Swahili
Despite greater scrutiny, depth of schools' lead problem unclear
Youth Philanthropy grants to help nonprofits serve children, improve communities
Robotics institute set to anchor Pittsburgh's mammoth Almono development
Obama coach ensures swimming skills aren't just for dreamers
Philanthropy interns look to community for proposals
Student group secures grant for Plum school library upgrades
BMe Community Genius Awards held at the Heinz History Center
Pa. House budget plan would spike child care wait lists, advocates say
Pittsburgh groups work to rid schools and child care centers of lead, radon
1,000 Hours a Year initiative will help local schools test for lead and radon
Pittsburgh environmental groups launch initiative to help schools and child-care facilities address lead and radon
This new initiative will help Pittsburgh-area schools and pre-schools test for lead and radon
Allegheny County Health Department to deploy anti-gun violence teams

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MacKenzie Scott boosts another Pittsburgh-area nonprofit with $10 million gift

Pressley Ridge, a nonprofit agency based in McCandless, announced Wednesday that it received a $10 million unrestricted gift from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, ex-wife of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.

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Why Philanthropy’s ‘Free College’ Programs Don’t Always Live Up to Their Promise

Many philanthropists and promise backers dream of more than just sending kids to college. To them, promise programs can be elixirs for economic and work-force development, poverty, and a community’s well-being.

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On Media: Pittsburgh journalist Nick Childers provides firsthand accounts from Ukraine

Freelance videographer and photographer Nick Childers already had planned to leave his home in Polish Hill for a reporting trip to Ukraine when Russia invaded on Feb 24.

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AHN launches new effort to tackle Black infant mortality

In Pittsburgh, Black infants are more than four times as likely than white babies to die before they reach their first birthday.

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Pittsburgh real estate development is becoming more the province of tech in Hazelwood and beyond

The hiring of a prestigious global firm to remake an old Hazelwood coke plant is another signal of the growing influence of tech in the region’s real estate development, experts say.

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Joseph Sabino Mistick: The path ahead for Mayor Gainey

Like most newly elected chief executives, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey is entitled to a bit of a political honeymoon. 

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A generational opportunity for leapfrog growth and global economic leadership in Pittsburgh

Global real estate developer and owner of Rockefeller Center in New York City and Mission Rock in San Francisco to lead transformation of 178-acre former urban brownfield into a neighborhood centered on innovation, sustainability and

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Almono & Carnegie Mellon University reach agreements with Tishman Speyer to accelerate transformation of Hazelwood Green

Global real estate developer and owner of Rockefeller Center in New York City and Mission Rock in San Francisco to lead transformation of 178-acre former urban brownfield into a neighborhood centered on innovation, sustainability and

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Global developer hired to transform old Hazelwood coke works into robotics, AI and life sciences hub

Tishman Speyer has redeveloped part of the Bronx, Potsdamer Platz in Berlin and a steel mill in Beijing.  Now it will get its shot at an old coke plant in Hazelwood.

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Hazelwood Green, Pittsburgh’s largest development site, has a new lead developer

Last week, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey announced that he was putting an end to a controversial plan to build a shuttle link between Oakland and Hazelwood. 

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New York firm to develop 178-acre Hazelwood Green site in Pittsburgh

The streets, trails and sidewalks of the 178-acre Hazelwood Green site in Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood were completed in early 2020, and the area has since been awaiting finalized development plans to transform the former steel

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Grant Oliphant shares his successes and disappointments serving Pittsburgh — and why it’s time to move on

After the sudden death of John Heinz — a U.S. Senator and heir to the Heinz family’s food conglomerate fortune — his wife, Teresa Heinz, asked the senator’s press secretary to join the staff at

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Obituary: James Mellon Walton | Executive who shaped Carnegie museums, Carnegie Library and Heinz Endowments

James Mellon Walton, who established five new galleries at Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and led one of the city’s major foundations, usually avoided the spotlight.

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RI advances new pathway for learners to achieve community and future readiness

Forty-five high school seniors from 22 Allegheny County high schools, and more than 30 education, industry and community collaborators, became one team as the Readiness Institute (RI) at Penn State launched its inaugural Summer Program

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Exploration of Experiences and Perpetration of Identity-Based Bullying Among Adolescents by Race/Ethnicity and Other Marginalized Identities

Race-based discrimination represents an ongoing public health crisis in the US, manifested by wide-ranging disparities in youth health, mental health, and violence exposure. However, studies of racial discrimination often neglect experiences of identity-based bullying (IBB)

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'It's more than our mortgage': Pandemic highlights cost of child care, other challenges moms and employees face

For Chelcee Carter, of Cranberry, a week’s notice that her child’s daycare was closing down for the summer was not nearly enough.

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The Penn State Greater Allegheny campus hosts the Readiness Institute

For three days this week, Penn State Greater Allegheny's employees will share their idea of a BeGreater Community with 45 rising high school seniors as the campus hosts the Readiness Institute at Penn State's Summer

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The Heinz Endowments awards $4.4 million to child care programs

Pittsburgh’s child care programs, which were hard hit by shutdowns during the pandemic, are getting a $4.4 million boost from The Heinz Endowments.

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$2 million from Allegheny County and philanthropies to fund in-person summer camps for kids

Gina Evans, program officer for the McElhattan Foundation, was grateful she could work from her home in Edgewood during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Allegheny County picks first head of Department of Children Initiatives

Rebecca “Becky” Mercatoris was announced Tuesday as the first director of Allegheny County’s new Department of Children Initiatives.

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Penn State Readiness Institute launches Hope Moonshot to send messages to the moon

Readiness Institute wants to collect our hopes and dreams — and send them to the moon. Literally.

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Newly established Readiness Institute at Penn State names inaugural leader

Penn State has announced the appointment of Justin W. Aglio as senior director of the Readiness Institute (RI) at Penn State, a unit of Penn State Outreach.

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The Heinz Endowments awards grant to Penn State Outreach for Readiness Institute

The Heinz Endowments approved a $450,000 grant that will be awarded to Penn State Outreach in January to operate Penn State's Readiness Institute, which was launched this fall.

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Endowments awards major funding to support region’s arts organizations impacted by COVID-19 pandemic

37 organizations receive $5.75 million in arts and creative learning funding

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Study: Loss Of Thousands Of Child Care Spots In Allegheny County Will Hurt Parents, Workforce

The COVID-19 pandemic has lead to the loss of up to 15,600 child care spots in Allegheny County, and could push parents of young children out of the workforce if those losses become permanent, according

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Gwen’s Girls launches See the Best in Me campaign to celebrate Black Girls Equity Month

September is Black Girls Equity Month in Allegheny County, and Gwen’s Girls is ready to celebrate — and educate. Throughout the next 30 days, the nonprofit organization will recognize young Black women who are making

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Dragon’s Den rope challenge course opening in former Homestead church

It’s not unusual to see an old church in Pittsburgh reborn as something else, from housing to a brewpub. But this is a first: the former St. Mary Magdalene church in Homestead is getting new

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Pivot to remote learning creates a chance to reinvent K-12 education

Many of the nation’s 57 million K-12 students will spend at least part of the 2020-2021 school year either dealing with distance learning or a hybrid model that keeps them out of classrooms several days

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AIU receives $1.5 million to assist schools through pandemic

Six foundations combined to award the Allegheny Intermediate Unit more than $1.5 million to help support local school districts with educational challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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New Research Details Racial, Socioeconomic Inequities During School Shutdown Across Allegheny County

Allegheny County school districts that transitioned to remote learning  quickly, provided technology for all or some grades and performed real-time instruction, serve fewer historically marginalized students than those who didn't, according to a new report.

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Endowments announces major public-private child care initiative

Philanthropy, nonprofits, government, partner on new child care resource -- $500,000 committed to support Allegheny County families

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New tool gives real-time childcare facility information to families

A new tool allows families to log onto a website and find open/available childcare facilities in Allegheny County

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The Association for Supportive Child Care Receives Multiple Awards to Help Struggling Home-Based Caregivers and Child Care Center

The Association for Supportive Child Care (ASCC) has been awarded $100,000 to establish a regional emergency fund to provide relief grants to home-based child care providers by Home Grown, a national collaborative of funders committed to improving

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Heinz Endowments awards over $600,000 to help provide computers for local students following school closures

COVID-19 pandemic reveals the digital divide crisis still remains

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Pittsburgh’s tech and nonprofit communities come together to get laptops to students in need

Pittsburgh Public Schools starts online instruction on April 16 — but many kids can’t participate because they don’t have computers at home.

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Pittsburgh Public Schools goes big to get all 23,000 students studying from home starting April 16

Building an online learning system from scratch for 23,000 students — many of whom don’t have access to laptops — would be difficult in the best circumstances. But to have to do it on the

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Pittsburgh Public Schools Preparing For Online Instruction

Pittsburgh Public Schools Preparing For Online Instruction

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Heinz Endowments launches Pittsburgh Readiness Institute to prepare high school seniors for careers

As long as there have been students and schools there have been questions about relevancy.

“When you were in math class or chemistry class, you might have dealt with a series of problems that teachers had ...

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Endowments invests $700K to launch program that prepares youth for future work and commitment to community

Pittsburgh Readiness Institute will help students learn skills, attitudes and values needed to be good citizens and effective workers.

 

 

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Heinz Endowments initiative aims to prepare students for professional, private life

The Heinz Endowments was expected to announce Wednesday that it was investing $700,000 to launch an education initiative aimed at helping youth and young adults meet future employment and civic demands.

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PPS Plans To Re-launch Teacher Diversity Initiative With 2 Local Universities

A program meant to diversify the ranks of teachers at the Pittsburgh Public Schools could soon be re-launched. The program was postponed in October after issues surfaced with the partner university selected by the district.

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The Heinz Endowments commits $10 Mil in funding — Investing in a child’s well-being from prenatal to age 3 is beneficial

The New Pittsburgh Courier has learned that The Heinz Endowments has committed $10 million in funding over three years to support a prenatal to age 3 well-being initiative.

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Heinz Endowments Launches $10 Million Early Childhood Initiative

The Pittsburgh-based Heinz Endowments has announced its intention to invest $10 million over three years to enhance the well-being of young children in southwestern Pennsylvania. 

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Endowments announces $10 million funding for prenatal to age 3 well-being, education initiative

Includes early intervention plans, multi-generation approach, health and environment risk abatement

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Heinz Endowments commits $10 million to support young children, families Photo of Joyce Gannon

The Heinz Endowments has committed $10 million over three years for programs that target the health and well-being of children from prenatal to 3 years old and their families.

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Local Groups Will Help Pittsburgh Public School District 'Re-Imagine' How It Teaches Students

Michelle Figlar with the Heinz Endowments says she wants schools to serve multiple purposes. She envisions them as community centers to help families before their kids even enter kindergarten.

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Superintendent Anthony Hamlet announces new strategic plan for city schools

Pittsburgh Public Schools officials on Tuesday unveiled the early stages of a plan to “re-imagine” the district and tackle challenges with support from local government, foundations and higher education institutions.

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Allegheny County receives $200K grant for infant, maternal health program

The Allegheny County Health Department received a $200,000 grant from the Heinz Endowments to raise awareness about the county’s Maternal and Child Health program among black families and improve the ways it serves them.

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Report: County needs new department to address kids' needs

Allegheny County should create a department dedicated to improving early childhood education and after-school programs, according to the report of a 25-member working group created in March by County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.

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PGH Public Schools Postpones Teacher Diversity Program, Dropping Private College Partnership

The Pittsburgh Public Schools district postponed a program that was intended to train current employees of color to be teachers after rescinding the collaboration with the university that was going to instruct those educators.

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The mission—Getting more Black teachers into PPS

African American students make up 53 percent of the Pittsburgh Public Schools district, while White students make up 33 percent.

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Pittsburgh Public Schools launches pilot program to diversify teacher workforce

Pittsburgh Public Schools is launching a pilot program this school year that would enable classroom aides to become teachers and earn the required state certification, an initiative designed to narrow racial disparities between the district’s

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Grown-up solutions to combat child poverty

Some communities refuse to just sit back and watch tens of thousands of children grow up in poverty — a circumstance that makes them more likely to face diminished educational and job prospects, violence, incarceration

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United Way of the Laurel Highlands kicks off fundraising campaign

The United Way of the Laurel Highlands officially launched its 2019 fundraising campaign at a breakfast event Thursday morning, and the organization’s leader said its goal is to raise more than $1.3 million before the

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William Isler, Audrey Russo & Jake Witherell: Gap in nontraditional child care undermines economic growth

Kids love playing musical chairs. Around they go, and when the music stops, someone has a seat, and someone is standing.

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Allegheny County Children's Fund working group to make recommendations to Fitzgerald

A working group charged with examining potentially creating a county-wide Children’s Fund to support early learning and out-of-school-time programs is aiming to present recommendations to Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald in September.

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Students from Pittsburgh attending International Congress of Youth Voices

Six area teenagers known for their commitment to activism and writing are in San Juan Puerto Rico as delegates to the International Congress of Youth Voices this month. The five-day conference will give the delegates

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With 'Hello Baby' officials aim to reach all babies born in Allegheny County -- with an algorithm targeting those most at risk

Roughly 13,000 babies are born every year in Allegheny County. County human services officials are working on an ambitious plan to reach out to the parents of all of them — shortly after they are born

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Woodland Hills Suspended Fewer Students By Using A Restorative Model

Suspensions among 4th-6th graders are down at Woodland Hills School District. That can be attributed, in part, to a restorative practice program created by the University of Pittsburgh, according to school district administrators. 

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Internship program to award funding for change

A group of students are getting the opportunity to enhance their community, while gaining valuable lessons in teamwork and decision-making, through the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies’ Youth Philanthropy Internship program.

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Carnegie’s Library Park nearing finish line

Connecting the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, located at the top of a steep hillside, to Carnegie’s business district below has long been a dream for many. The Library Park project includes the

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International Congress of Youth Voices Brings Together Authors and Activists in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, June 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 8, 130 accomplished young writers from around the world will meet with activists, political leaders, and other changemakers to learn and collaborate as they seek to make a

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Heinz Endowments donates $1M to Pittsburgh Promise

The Heinz Endowments announced Wednesday it is making a $1 million contribution to the Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program, bringing to $19.4 million the total donated over the program’s decade of existence.

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Heinz Endowments gives $1 million to Pittsburgh Promise

The Heinz Endowments has made a $1 million donation to the Pittsburgh Promise scholarship program.

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After success in Africa, Open Field launches programming in Pittsburgh

Soccer’s more than football. It can — and has — made a difference in people’s lives, thanks to enthusiasts like Justin Forzano.

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The Heinz Endowments awards 300k in support of JHF programs for women and seniors

The Heinz Endowments has made a significant grant to the Jewish Healthcare Foundation to help launch two new programs in 2019.

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Meetings planned to gauge interest, get feedback about countywide Children's Fund

This week will kick off a series of six community meetings about early learning and out-of-school programs in Allegheny County, with an eye toward the potential creation of a countywide Children's Fund.

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County to examine Children's Fund for early learning, after school programs

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has appointed a working group to examine creating a Children's Fund to bolster early learning and out-of-school time programs for kids throughout the county.

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Greater Allegheny offers blended IST degree with help from the Heinz Endowments

MCKEESPORT, Pa. — Penn State Greater Allegheny is offering for the first time a blended associate’s degree in information sciences and technology (IST) that local residents can complete both on campus and online. The pilot,

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Group serves community with food, toys and laughter

The seven young women sat in a circle in the middle of the room. They giggled and teased each other. They slouched with their arms crossed tightly against their chests.

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FREE THINC30 SUMMIT ON OCT. 17 ASKS HOW PITTSBURGH CAN BE A CITY FOR ALL

Like many Pittsburghers, I’m so proud of our city’s strength and resilience. Of how we’ve transformed our old industrial economy into one that is diversified and forward-looking. Of how, as home to a number of the

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Seeing no big plan for struggling Pittsburgh kids, visiting Scots urge: 'Just do it.'

Talk of dozens of efforts to help disadvantaged kids had gone on for an hour Thursday when a soft, Scottish-accented voice piped up.

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Riverview Children's Center adds classrooms, other amenities with $2 million expansion

A multimillion dollar expansion project designed to help children with early education programs has been completed.

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A new way to engage kids? Science museum opens first-ever classroom for preschoolers

The 20 preschool children who came to the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, last week weren’t simply on a field trip. Instead, they are part of the first-ever early childhood class to be housed

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NEXT Up: Kenny Donaldson on helping the most marginalized students in Pittsburgh

A dedicated advocate for students and families in under-resourced Pittsburgh schools, Kenny Donaldson is passionate about improving students’ lives. As Associate Director of Strategic Programming and Initiatives at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Urban Education,

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New Pitt Research: Glaring Racial Disparities in Out-of-school Suspensions; a Warning About the Role of On-site Law Enforcement

A new University of Pittsburgh study of Allegheny County schools shows severe racial disparities in out-of-school suspensions with a rate that is double for African-American students compared to their non-Black classmates.

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Pitt Study Finds Link Between School Suspensions & Students In Juvenile Justice System

New research released by the University of Pittsburgh says there’s a connection between suspensions, grades and whether a child ends up in the juvenile justice system

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Pitt study looks at disparities in school suspensions

Black students in the Pittsburgh region are getting suspended at more than double the rate of their white classmates, according to a new study from the University of Pittsburgh.

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Study Shows Glaring Racial Disparities In School Suspension Rates In Allegheny County

PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) – As public school students head back to class for the start of another school year, a report out of the University of Pittsburgh finds glaring racial disparities in how those

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Health department receives $200K grant for program to decrease infant mortality

The Heinz Endowments has given the Allegheny County Health Department a $200,000 grant to support its “Health Equity in Action” program.

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Students see the tech side of sports broadcasting with visit to AT&T SportsNet

It may turn out that few of the 28 students enrolled in this year’s All Star Code Summer Intensive program go into the production side of sports broadcasting, but the skills they are learning in

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Penn Hills Family Care Connection plans grand opening

A county family care center that recently expanded into Penn Hills will host a week of events to celebrate its presence in the community.

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'In the trenches': Team led by Duquesne U. helps after-school programs tackle childhood trauma

Every weekday, kids stream into Kingdom Life Fellowship Pittsburgh for an after-school program, getting homework help and lessons, eating dinner and playing games for three hours before heading home.

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WorkZone: Bystanders must speak out to prevent sexual harassment

At the very start of his training workshop on how to prevent sexual harassment, Jackson Katz asked the attendees to define leaders.

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'One voice can change a life': A program in Pittsburgh is helping high school students find — and raise — their voices

A strong late-afternoon sun slanted through the large windows as a group of high school students began to give short oral reports, some in quiet, halting voices, others in firm tones, about someone who inspired

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CYF: An agency that works, helping kids and their families

Marc Cherna came to Pennsylvania from New Jersey to run Allegheny County’s Children, Youth and Families agency in 1996, a time when CYF was a national disgrace for endangering children rather than aiding vulnerable families.

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New frontiers: A clever CMU program scouts out the latest in artificial intelligence

Carnegie Mellon University has hit on an interesting strategy for predicting which industries are most likely to be affected by artificial intelligence in coming years — knowledge that has the potential to affect government policy,

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The other epidemic that’s killing our kids The other epidemic that’s killing our kids

In many of our communities in Allegheny County, there is a largely unrecognized contagious disease killing our children. Our communities are being exposed every day to this terrible disease, and we don’t have enough resources,

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Leadership program at Woodland Hills aimed at fifth, sixth graders Leadership program at Woodland Hills aimed at fifth, sixth graders

The fifth and sixth graders sat in hard metal chairs arranged in a wide circle on a concrete-floored classroom at Woodland Hills Intermediate School on Friday...

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Fred Rogers Co. receives $3M expansion grant Fred Rogers Co. receives $3M expansion grant

The Fred Rogers Co. is poised for expansion as a result of $3 million grant from the Heinz Endowments.

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Heinz Endowments advances children’s educational media with $3M grant to The Fred Rogers Company

Three-year funding supports children’s ‘social-emotional learning initiatives,’ new content, advances in educational technology

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From Flint to Pittsburgh, children need protection from lead, pediatrician says From Flint to Pittsburgh, children need protection from lead, pediatrician says

“How do we preserve the tomorrows of our kids?” asked Flint, Mich., pediatrician Mona Hanna-Attisha at an event Wednesday sharing her ongoing advocacy for eliminating lead exposure in children, first sparked by her city’s water

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Ahead of our time in life sciences

Pittsburgh is usually ahead of its time. Occasionally we get reminded of this in surprising and satisfying ways.

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Plum board looking at proposal to perk up high school library Plum board looking at proposal to perk up high school library

A proposed coffee shop in the Plum High School library is gaining support from district officials. The intent of the coffee shop is to develop entrepreneurship, and have life-skills students run it to obtain hands-on

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Endowments names Mac Howison as Program Officer for Creative Learning

PITTSBURGH, PA September 13, 2017 – The Heinz Endowments today announced the appointment of Mac Howison as Program Officer for Creative Learning. Mr. Howison will take up his new position on October 3, 2017, and

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New Pittsburgh multicultural unit to translate 5 languages for immigrants New Pittsburgh multicultural unit to translate 5 languages for immigrants

Pittsburgh will translate messaging from its public safety departments into Arabic, Chinese, Nepalese, Spanish and Swahili as part of an effort to ensure that immigrants and refugees can access city services.

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Pittsburgh's new multicultural unit will help communication — in Arabic, Chinese, Nepali, Spanish and Swahili Pittsburgh's new multicultural unit will help communication — in Arabic, Chinese, Nepali, Spanish and Swahili

Pittsburgh's Public Safety department is angling to strengthen ties — and trust — with refugee and immigrant communities through a multicultural program.

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Despite greater scrutiny, depth of schools' lead problem unclear Despite greater scrutiny, depth of schools' lead problem unclear

Ronald Joseph recalled waking up anxious every Friday for two months straight. The chief technology officer of Pennsylvania's second-largest school district described having "a hold-your-breath moment" each week during summer 2016 as he met with

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Youth Philanthropy grants to help nonprofits serve children, improve communities

The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County has awarded grants totaling $50,000 to local nonprofits through its Youth Philanthropy Internship Program.

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Robotics institute set to anchor Pittsburgh's mammoth Almono development Robotics institute set to anchor Pittsburgh's mammoth Almono development

Carnegie Mellon University's Advanced Robotics Manufacturing Institute will be the first anchor tenant to set up shop in a former Hazelwood steel mill, officials said Monday.

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Obama coach ensures swimming skills aren't just for dreamers Obama coach ensures swimming skills aren't just for dreamers

It’s amazing how much progress can happen in 27 days. “You were scared to let go of the wall, and now you’re motorboating and jumping in,” Obama Academy swim coach Mark Rauterkus says to his

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Philanthropy interns look to community for proposals Philanthropy interns look to community for proposals

Working through the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies and funded by Pittsburgh’s Heinz Endowments, two teams of interns have $25,000 each to grant community organizations looking to better engage and prepare their county’s youth. The

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Student group secures grant for Plum school library upgrades

Plum High School's library may get new furniture and upgrades with grant money that a student group secured.

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BMe Community Genius Awards held at the Heinz History Center BMe Community Genius Awards held at the Heinz History Center

The BMe Community Genius Awards were held on Friday night at the Heinz History Center in the Strip District, honoring black men in the Pittsburgh community who are shining lights for those around them.

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Pa. House budget plan would spike child care wait lists, advocates say Pa. House budget plan would spike child care wait lists, advocates say

Pennsylvania's wait list for state-subsidized child care could climb to a historic high of 19,000 children under the budget plan approved by the state House, a spokeswoman for Gov. Tom Wolf warned Monday in Pittsburgh.

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Pittsburgh groups work to rid schools and child care centers of lead, radon

Two nonprofits are launching a program to help Pittsburgh-area schools and child care centers get rid of lead and radon hazards.

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1,000 Hours a Year initiative will help local schools test for lead and radon 1,000 Hours a Year initiative will help local schools test for lead and radon

Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) and the Green Building Alliance (GBA) announced at a joint press conference Thursday a new initiative, 1,000 Hours a Year, that will provide funding to local schools and early

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Pittsburgh environmental groups launch initiative to help schools and child-care facilities address lead and radon Pittsburgh environmental groups launch initiative to help schools and child-care facilities address lead and radon

Children spend an estimated 1,000 hours every year in schools, early-education centers and after-school programs. While parents can work to protect their children from environmental hazards like lead and radon at home, they have little

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This new initiative will help Pittsburgh-area schools and pre-schools test for lead and radon This new initiative will help Pittsburgh-area schools and pre-schools test for lead and radon

Superintendent Patrick Graczyk didn’t sleep for 48 hours after he had received his school district's lead testing results.

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Allegheny County Health Department to deploy anti-gun violence teams Allegheny County Health Department to deploy anti-gun violence teams

Teams from the Allegheny County Health Department soon will be on the ground in neighborhoods hardest hit by gun violence to try to stymie what officials see as a public health crisis.

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